who have been diagnosed with attention deficit disor-
der and autism. Both conditions are affecting more
children each year.
Doctors disagree about the impact of food on
children with these conditions. However, many
parents report successfully improving symptoms such
as inability to concentrate, hyperactivity, and sleep
disturbances by eliminating foods such as wheat
from the diets of their children.
Research
In the early 20th century, pediatricians, Clements
von Pirquet and Bela Schick coined the term allergy
from the Greek wordsallos, meaning changed or
altered, andergon, meaning reaction. Dr. von Clem-
ents was one of the first doctors to study reactions to
what would later be called allergens.
In 1943 the American Academy of Allergy,
Asthma, and Immunology was formed. This and
other organizations of physicians help coordinate
and implement many of the research finding of the
many studies conducted on allergies each year.
Allergy reportedly affects 38% of all Americans.
The Royal College of Physicians reports that one in
three adults have an allergy. In a survey of over 3000
adults, 43% reported food allergies.
Multiple studies report a decrease of symptoms
when foods that cause allergic reactions are eliminated
from the diet.
Resources
BOOKS
Beirman, W., D. S. Pearlman, G. G. Shapiro, and W. W.
Busse, eds.Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology from
Infancy to Adulthood. Philadelphia: W. B. Saunders,
1996.
Braly, James, M. D.Hidden Food Allergies: The Essential
Guide to Uncovering Hidden Food Allergies and Achiev-
ing Permanent Relief. Laguna Beach, CA: Basic Health
Publications, 2006.
Brostoff, Jonathan and Linda Gamlin.Food Allergies and
Food Intolerance: The Complete Guide to Their Identi-
fication and Treatment. Rochester, VT: Healing Arts
Press, 2000.
Carter, Jill and Alison Edwards.The Allergy Exclusion Diet:
The 28–Day Plan to Solve Your Food Intolerances.
Carlsbad, CA: Hay House, 2003.
Cutler, Ellen, MD.The Food Allergy Cure: A New Solution
to Food Cravings, Depression, Obesity, Headaches,
Arthritis, and Fatigue. New York, NY: Three Rivers
Press, 2003.
Speer, F., ed.Allergy of the Nervous System. New York, NY:
Thomas, 1970.
Walsh, William E. MD.The Complete Guide to Under-
standing and Relieving Your Food Allergies. New York,
NY: John Wiley and Sons, 2000.
PERIODICALS
Crowe, S. E. and M. H. Perdue. ‘‘Gastrointestinal Food
Hypersensitivity: Basic Mechanisms of Pathophysiol-
ogy.’’Gasteroenterology103, no. 3 (1992): 1075–1095.
Dreskin. ‘‘Role of Genetics in Food Allergy.’’Curr Allergy
Asthma Rep6 (2006): 58–64.
Finn, R. ‘‘Food Allergies–Fact or Fiction: A Review.’’
Journal of the Royal Society of Medicine85, no. 9
(1992): 560–564.
Iikura, Y. et. al, ‘‘How to Prevent Allergic Disease I. Study
of Specific IgE, IgG, and IgG4 Antibodies in Serum of
Pregnant Mothers, Cord Blood, and Infants.’’Int Arch
Allergy Appl Immunol88 (1989): 250–252.
Sampson, H. A., L. Medelson, and J. P. Rosen. ‘‘Fatal and
Near–Fatal Anaphylactic Reactions to Foods in Chil-
dren and Adolescents.’’New England Journal of Medi-
cine327, no.6 (1992): 380–384.
Sicherer, S. H. and Leurg, D. Y. ‘‘Advances in Allergic Skin
Disease, Anaphylaxis, and Hypersensitivity Reactions
to Food, Drugs, and Insects.’’J Allergy Clin Immunol
116 (2005): 153–163.
Steinman, H. A. ‘‘Rostrum: Hidden Allergens in Foods.’’
Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology98, no. 2
(1998): 241–250.
Winbourn, M. ‘‘Food Allergy, the Hidden Culprit.’’Journal
of American Academy of Nurse Practitioners6, no. 11
(1994):515–522.
OTHER
Food Allergy Fact Sheet, American Academy of Allergy,
Asthma, and Immunology, (2007) Website: http://
http://www.aaaai.org/patients/resources/fact_sheets/
food_allergies.pdf.
ORGANIZATIONS
American Academy of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology.
611 East Wells Street, Milwaukee, WI 53202. Tele-
phone: (800) 822-2762. Website: http://www.aaaai.org.
The Food Allergy and Anaphylaxis Network. 11781 Lee
Jackson Hwy., Suite 160, Fairfax VA 22033. Telephone:
(800) 929-4040. Website: http://www.foodallergy.org/.QUESTIONS TO ASK YOUR
DOCTOR Could I have more than one food allergy?
Is an elimination diet safe for me?
Are there any special precautions I should
follow?
Are there any drug precautions I should be
aware of while following this diet?
Do I need an Epi–Pen?Food allergies